







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | |
| That's a good question! | |
| Yes, he is one of them. | |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | |
| You don't know the story behind it. | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
| He only does it when he is extremely stressed! | |
| It's the second one from the top. | |
| Well, not really! I don't like cooking much. | |
| Why is that rice so special? | |
| Nothing, 'cause I don't know what the woman looks like. | |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | |
| It's a kind of welcoming party for her. | |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | |
| Oh sorry dear, my husband has some difficulties hearing... | |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | |